Marble Falls coach Wilson to join Georgetown High staff

CAPTION: Sonny Wilson (center) is joining the Georgetown High School staff with the full support of wife Carrie and son Ryder. Courtesy photo

Marble Falls High School assistant coach Sonny Wilson resigned to accept a coaching position at Georgetown High School on legendary girls basketball head coach Rhonda Farney’s staff.

Farney, who has spent 35 years at Georgetown High School, has a record of 1,237-351 with 20 consecutive years of 20-win seasons and 33 consecutive postseason berths. She ranks sixth on the National Federation of State High School Associations’ all-time career list.

“I feel like it could be a really good opportunity for me,” Wilson said. “I feel like this could be a step forward for what I want to do.”

Wilson joined the Marble Falls ISD staff two years ago, announcing his decision on his personal social media. He wrote that it was a hard choice to join the staff in south Burnet County considering he attended Burnet High School and worked with Burnet Consolidated Independent School District athletic department and how well he knew those athletes and coaches. He cultivated those relationships as the director of Next Level Sports, a youth organization where players of all ages could play select ball and get better. Also during that time, he was a coach at Faith Academy of Marble Falls, serving as the defensive coordinator on former head coach Stephen Shipley’s football staff and on head coach Kat Canada’s girls basketball staff.

Still, the opportunity to coach and teach at a public high school gave Wilson the opportunity to better take care of his family.

He noted telling the Marble Falls students of his decision to accept the Georgetown High position wasn’t a slam dunk either.

“It was tough to tell the kids bye,” he said. “I told (Marble Falls boys basketball head coach John Berkman) I’ll help out with summer trips. I have such a close tie with the kids. It’s very hard for me to leave (rising senior guard Tidus Willie).”

Wilson said he wasn’t looking to leave Marble Falls. But when a legend calls, you answer.

“She offered the job on the spot; I didn’t even apply for it,” he said. “She reached out to me. She’s seen me coach for a long time with Next Level. She noticed a lot of the things I’d done with the Burnet and Marble Falls girls. She’s kept a close eye on me.”

Both girls programs in Burnet County have enjoyed back-to-back district titles in the last two years. Both reached the third round of the Class 4A playoffs and both advanced to the playoffs during the 2021-22 season. Both have had players sign to play college basketball.

“(Farney) told me a lot of the girls wouldn’t be where they are without me and my program,” Wilson said. “She’s been a huge mentor of mine for awhile.”

While his work with players on the court speaks volumes, Farney reached out to mutual people to inquire about Wilson’s demeanor, how he interacts with staff members, families and others, and why his athletes are successful. After that, the two spoke and Wilson resigned his position at Marble Falls ISD.

He believes accepting a job on Farney’s staff can only help him.

“Georgetown is a great program to be apart of,” he said. “It was almost a no-brainer. She keeps an oiled machine: character building, holding kids accountable and how she loves the kids. I felt like this was the right decision. I don’t know how I could have said no.”

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